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DESIGNATED NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Designated National Authority
The designation of a national authority for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in South Africa is a requirement for South Africa's participation in the mechanism, as defined within the formal rules of the CDM.
 
Role
The main task of the Designated National Authority (DNA) is to assess potential CDM projects to determine whether they will assist South Africa in achieving its sustainable development goals and to issue formal host country approval where this is the case.

The DNA for South Africa was established in late 2004. At present, its focus is on the approval process for potential CDM projects. However, it will also provide support to project developers and play a part in promoting South Africa as an attractive location for potential CDM investors.
 
Responsibilities
The regulations establishing the Designated National Authority (DNA) for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in South Africa were gazetted on 22 July 2005.

According to the regulations, the responsibilities of the DNA are allocated to the Director-General of the Department of Minerals and Energy, who shall perform all such powers, duties and functions of the DNA, and may delegate any power conferred on that authority by these regulations to one or more officials in the Department of Minerals and Energy.

Download the full document of the gazetted regulations No R. 721 for the Establishment of the Designated National Authority for the Clean Development Mechanism, under section 25(3) of National Environmental Management 1998 Act 107 (NEMA).
 
Approval Process
Project approval by the host country is one of the pre-requisites of international registration of a potential CDM project with the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. Assessment of projects for host country approval is the primary role of the Designated National Authority (DNA). Scope of this approval is limited to assessing the voluntary participation of South Africa in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) - and the contribution of projects to the sustainable development of the country.
Download the full approval process document.